Sliding-door structure



Sept. 30, 1930. A. BITTORF SLIDING DOOR STRUCTURE Filed June 6, 1927 Patented Sept. 3Q 1936 UNI LOUIS A. BITTORF, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS SLIDING DO0R STRUCTURE Application filed June 6, 1927. Serial No. 196,670.

My invention relates generally to sliding door structure and has to do particularly with means for supporting the door and moving it along a track.

It is a well known practice to carry sliding doors on a track support by means of a trolley or carriage structure. To facilitate manufacture, shipping and storing of parts, and, in some instances, the installation of the track parts, such tracks are made in sections adapted to be mounted end to end. In present practice, these adjoining track ends are loosely supported by a hanger or bracket with the result that the adjoining track sections tend to separate producing a gap between their ends, as well as weave and move relative to each other in vertical and angular paths as the trolley or carriage moves along. This is very undesirable because of the un even track surface presented whichhinders easy and eficient operation of the door and because of increased wear.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for positioning and maintain ing the track sections in a definite aligned position relative to each other and to their support so that the trolley or carriage which carries the door or panel will ride easily and smoothly thereon at all points and at all times.

Another object is to so adjustably connect the door to the carriage supporting structure that in the event of sagging or warping, or the like, the door may be readily and quickly adjusted without disturbing the already assembled parts. To this end I employ a strong and durable bracket for direct connection to the door and an adjustable connection between this bracket and the carriage structure, the bracket being of such form and construction as to aid in and permit of adjustment of the parts without removal ofthe bracket, which construction also adds to the strength and efficiency and durability of the bracket itself.

Other and further objects will become apparent as this description progresses and by reference to the drawing wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation partially in section of the structure shown in Fig. 1, showing a trolley or carriage and track structure mounted upon a support and carrying a door;

Fig. 3 is a sectionalview taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substan tially on line M of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the track.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 2, I may employ a bracket 6 formed, preferably, but not necessarily, of two pieces secured together as by the rivets 7,

the bracket being substantially of the shape I as shown in F ig. 3 and having the inwardly pro ectlng flanges 6 upon which the track 8 'is carried. This bracket 6 is also provided with a centrally disposed rib 6 which adds greatly to its strength and durability.

The rectangularly shaped track 8 has internal track ways 8 with the upturned confining flanges 8 The space 8 between the flanges 8 is for a purpose which will become obvious later. The track is, preferably, formed by a plurality of sections 8 and 8 joined end to end as at 8 to form the complete track as shown in Fig. 1. In the assembly of the track sections, the ends thereof are brought together within and are supported by the bracket 6. For obvious reasons, there is clearance between the track 8 and the bracket 6 as indicated at 9 in Fig. 3. To anchor these meeting track ends in such a way that they will be positively fixed and:

maintained in a definite joined position so that they will always present. a smooth track surface, I provide the top portion of, the bracket 6 with external bosses 10 having threaded openings passing therethrough and adapted to receive the set screws 11. The screws 11 pass through the top of the bracket '6 at substantiallyits central portion and have their inwardly projecting ends tapered to a sharp point as at 11. Openings 12 are pro- To adjust and fix the adjoining track ends in the desired position, they are moved to the abutting position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the screws 11 are screwed inwardly with their tapered ends passing through the openings 12, such screws being drawn down tightly to clamp the track against the 1nwardly extending bottom fianges 6 on the support 6. The screws 11 may be drawn down separately or at the same time and to variable extents so as to insure that each track section is properly anchored and that the joint presents a smooth track surface. If desired, the openings 12 may be omitted so that the sharp ends of the screws 11 will engage and indent the top surface of the track when such screws are adjusted as above set forth.

The carriage structure has a body 13 with wheels 14 adapted to be carried by the track 6 in the usual manner, as shown in Fig. 3. The central portion of the body 13 is provided with a vertical hub 15 adapted to r0- tatably receive a headed depending suppor pin 16 which has a threaded portion extendlng downwardly through the opening 8 of the track for attachment to the door bracket 17. The bracket 17 is L-shaped and is at tached t0 the door 18 by bolts 23. It is highly desirable to provide for adjustment of the bracket and door because the door may warp or sag making operation of the same difficult or of a highly undesirable nature. It is also desirable to provide means for eflfecting adjustment to compensate for such warping or sagging without disassembly of the parts in view of the great inconvenience that would be experienced after the structure had been completely assembled and in use. To accomplish this adjustment in accordance with my invention, the bracket 17 is provided with a centrally disposed and hollow longitudinal rib 19. An opening 20 is provided in the horizontal leg of the rib which is adapted to receive the threaded end of the pin 16. The pin 16 may have an exceptionally long threaded portion to take care of adjustments over a wide range so that it projects through the bracket 17 a considerable distance as shown in Fig. 3. In that case, an opening is provided in the adjacent part of the door to receive the inwardly extending end of the pin. In securing the bracket 17 upon the threaded portion of the pin, a iock nut 21 (Fig. 3) is first screwed onto the depending end of said pin. The pin is then passed through the opening 20 and the adjusting nut 22 is applied and drawn up to the desired position. The lock nut 21 is drawn down tightly to lock these parts in position. Adjustment may be readily and quickly accomplished without removal of any of the parts merely by loosening the lock nut 21 to the desired extent and turning the pin 16 in one direction or the other as the adjustment requires. After this adjustment, the lock nut 21 is again tightened up. The rectangularlyshaped rib 19 makes possible the adjustment as explained by holding the nut 22 stationary while the pin is turned. This rib is of such a character as to conceal the adjusting nut 22 and pin end to protect such parts from the weather and its deteriorating effects. It further serves to strengthen the bracket 17 and render the same capable of withstanding greater load and adds efliciency over a greater period of time.

l/Vith the parts installed as above described, the door ,18may always be moved back and forth along the track 8 easily, and the adjoining track ends will be maintained in a definite fixed flush relation so that this move ment will be smooth and uniform whereby operating efiiciency is increased to the maximum and wear is reduced to the minimum.

Although I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims. It is to be further understood that my invention is not limited to use with sliding door structure as described, but may also be used in con junction with any sliding panel, or the like, where similar conditions are to be met.

I claim:

In apparatus of the character described, track sections adapted to be mounted with their ends in abutting relation to form a continuous track surface, a support for said track sections located at the juncture of said ends, spaced screw members carried by said support and adjustable toward the track sections, said screws having tapered end portions, and eachsaid track end having an opening adapted to assume a position approximately concentric with respect to the adjacent of said screw members when said sections are brought together into endwise abutting relation, said openings being adapted to be engaged by the tapered end of the respective adjacent screw member.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

LOUIS A. BITTORF. 

